An algae eater can be a species of fish or even an invertebrate such as a snail or species of shrimp. Some algae eaters feed on specific types of algae while others graze more openly on multiple different types. Others may also feed on aquarium plants, so be careful about adding algae eaters to a planted aquarium.

What kind of algae do algae eaters eat?

Saltwater. Some of the known types of fish to eat algae are Blennies and Tangs, but along with fish there are snails, crabs, and sea urchins who also eat algae. These species are known to eat red slime algae, green film algae, hair algae, diatoms, cyanobacteria, brown film algae, detritus, and microalgae.

What do algae eaters eat when there is no algae?

While algae eaters subsist mainly on algae and decaying plant matter, in order to be healthy, they require a vegetable supplement to their diet. In addition to offering spirulina flakes or algae wafers, offer your algae eaters fresh vegetables once in a while.